Top 10 Scholarships in France 2027 for Internationals

France remains one of the most affordable top-tier study destinations in the world. Public university tuition is low compared with the UK, US, or Australia, and the French government, universities, and private foundations pour serious money into attracting international talent. If you’re planning to start a degree, fellowship, or research stay next year, the best scholarships in France 2027 are already open, and several close before the end of 2026.

This guide brings together ten of the strongest funded opportunities for the 2027 intake. Each entry covers who can apply, what’s covered, the deadline, and where to apply. Most of them are fully funded, meaning tuition, a monthly living allowance, travel, and health insurance are taken care of.

Apply early. Several of these programmes require a French host university to nominate you, which means the real deadline is often weeks earlier than the one printed on the scholarship page.

Quick Overview: Scholarships in France 2027

#	Scholarship	Level	Funding	Deadline
1	France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship	Master’s, PhD	Fully funded	9 November 2026
2	Ashinaga Africa Initiative Scholarship	Bachelor’s	Fully funded	31 December 2026
3	Université Paris-Saclay Master’s Scholarship	Master’s	Fully funded	Varies (spring 2027)
4	Université Grenoble Alpes IDEX Master’s Scholarship	Master’s, Engineering	Funded	Varies
5	Sophie Germain Scholarship	Master’s (Mathematics)	Fully funded	Spring 2027
6	Excellence Masters Scholarships (France–Nigeria)	Master’s	Fully funded	1 December 2026
7	France South Africa Scholarship	Master’s, PhD	Funded	8 October 2026
8	Camargo Fellowship 2027–2028	Fellowship	Fully funded	1 October 2026
9	TransformEU Mobility Grant	PhD, Postdoc	Fully funded	Open
10	ISGC Excellence Africa Scholarship	Researchers	Fully funded	30 September 2026

1. France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship 2027

The Eiffel Scholarship is the flagship of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the most prestigious name among scholarships in France 2027. It funds outstanding international students to complete a Master’s or PhD at a French institution, with a strong emphasis on future leaders in science, engineering, economics, law, and political science.

What’s covered

• Monthly allowance (around €1,400 for Master’s students and €1,700 for PhD students)
• International return airfare
• Health insurance and cultural activities
• Housing support in some cases
• Tuition is not paid by the scholarship, but most public institutions waive or heavily reduce fees for Eiffel laureates

Eligibility

• Non-French nationals (dual nationals with French citizenship are not eligible)
• Age limit: 25 or under for Master’s, 30 or under for PhD at the time of the campaign
• Must be nominated by a French higher education institution, so apply to the university first
• Strong academic record; the selection is highly competitive

Deadline: 9 November 2026 (institutions set earlier internal deadlines, often in October)

How to apply: Contact the international office of your chosen French university and ask about their Eiffel nomination process. You cannot apply directly to Campus France.

Full details: https://scholarshipunion.com/france-excellence-eiffel-scholarship/

2. Ashinaga Africa Initiative Scholarship 2027

The Ashinaga Africa Initiative supports students from sub-Saharan Africa who have lost one or both parents and want to study for a Bachelor’s degree abroad. The France track is aimed at students from Francophone and Lusophone African countries and provides one of the most complete support packages on this list.

What’s covered

• Full tuition fees
• Monthly living allowance and accommodation
• Travel to and from France
• Pre-departure preparation, language training, and mentoring throughout the degree

Eligibility

• Nationals of eligible sub-Saharan African countries who have lost one or both parents
• Recent secondary school graduates with strong academic results
• Commitment to return and contribute to their home country after graduation

Deadline: 31 December 2026

How to apply: Submit the online application on the Ashinaga website, followed by interviews and a residential selection camp for shortlisted candidates.

Full details: https://scholarshipunion.com/ashinaga-africa-initiative-scholarship/

3. Université Paris-Saclay Master’s Scholarship 2027

Université Paris-Saclay is consistently ranked among the top universities in continental Europe, and its International Master’s Scholarship Programme is one of the best-known fully funded scholarships in France 2027 for students in science, engineering, and social sciences.

What’s covered

• €10,000 per year for one or two years
• Up to €1,000 per year toward travel and visa costs
• Access to Paris-Saclay’s research labs and partner institutions

Eligibility

• International students admitted to a Master’s programme at Paris-Saclay
• Must not have lived in France for more than 12 months in the past three years
• Age 30 or under
• Strong academic background; applicants who already hold a scholarship covering similar costs are not eligible

Deadline: Varies by programme; applications typically open in early 2027 with a spring deadline

How to apply: Apply to a Paris-Saclay Master’s programme first. Eligible candidates are then invited to submit the scholarship application through the university’s portal.

Full details: https://scholarshipunion.com/paris-saclay-university-masters-scholarship-2026/

4. Université Grenoble Alpes IDEX Master’s Scholarship 2027

Grenoble is one of France’s leading centres for science and technology, and the Université Grenoble Alpes IDEX scholarship targets international students entering its Master’s or engineering programmes. It’s a strong option for students in physics, computer science, chemistry, earth sciences, and management.

What’s covered

• Annual scholarship of around €8,000, renewable for a second year
• Support for integration and student life in Grenoble

Eligibility

• International students admitted to an eligible UGA Master’s or engineering programme
• Excellent academic record
• Candidates already receiving other major funding may be excluded

Deadline: Varies by programme

How to apply: Apply for admission to your chosen UGA programme; the scholarship application is submitted alongside or after admission, depending on the department.

Full details: https://scholarshipunion.com/universite-grenoble-alpes-idex-masters-scholarship-2026-2027/

5. Sophie Germain Scholarship 2027

Offered by the Fondation Mathématique Jacques Hadamard (FMJH), the Sophie Germain Scholarship funds outstanding international students to complete a Master’s degree in mathematics at partner institutions in the Paris-Saclay area, including École Polytechnique and ENS Paris-Saclay.

What’s covered

• Living allowance of up to €10,000 per year
• Travel costs
• Health insurance and support with accommodation

Eligibility

• International students with an exceptional profile in mathematics or applied mathematics
• Admission to a partner Master’s programme (M1 or M2)
• Strong recommendations from professors

Deadline: Applications for the 2027 intake typically close in spring 2027; check the listing for the confirmed date

How to apply: Apply online through the FMJH portal with transcripts, a CV, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation.

Full details: https://scholarshipunion.com/sophie-germain-scholarship/

6. Excellence Masters Scholarships 2027 (France–Nigeria)

Run by the French Embassy in Nigeria in partnership with Campus France, the Excellence Masters Scholarships help Nigerian students pursue a Master’s degree at top French universities and grandes écoles.

What’s covered

• Monthly stipend
• Tuition fees
• Return airfare
• Health insurance and visa fees

Eligibility

• Nigerian citizens with a strong first degree
• Admission (or pending admission) to a French Master’s programme
• French language skills are an advantage but many programmes are taught in English

Deadline: 1 December 2026

How to apply: Submit the application through Campus France Nigeria with academic transcripts, proof of admission or application, and a motivation letter.

Full details: https://scholarshipunion.com/excellence-masters-scholarships-2026-27/

7. France South Africa Scholarship 2027

The French Embassy in South Africa and Campus France co-fund this programme for Master’s and PhD candidates from South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi. It covers a wide range of fields with a focus on science, technology, and social sciences.

What’s covered

• Monthly living allowance
• Tuition contribution
• Airfare and health insurance
• Student social security coverage in France

Eligibility

• Citizens of South Africa, Lesotho, or Malawi
• Admission to a French Master’s or doctoral programme
• Excellent academic performance

Deadline: 8 October 2026

How to apply: Complete the online form with Campus France South Africa, attaching transcripts, a research or study plan, and proof of application to a French institution.

Full details: https://scholarshipunion.com/france-south-africa-scholarship-2027/

8. Camargo Fellowship 2027–2028

The Camargo Foundation offers ten-week residencies in Cassis, on the Mediterranean coast near Marseille. It’s not a degree scholarship but one of the most sought-after fully funded fellowships in France for artists, scholars, and thinkers working in the humanities and arts.

What’s covered

• Private apartment on the Camargo campus in Cassis
• Stipend (around $1,000 per month plus travel support)
• Studio or workspace and access to a community of fellows

Eligibility

• Scholars in the humanities and social sciences working on French or Mediterranean-related topics
• Artists in any discipline with a defined project
• Open to applicants worldwide

Deadline: 1 October 2026

How to apply: Submit a project proposal, CV, work samples (for artists), and references through the Camargo online portal.

Full details: https://scholarshipunion.com/camargo-fellowship-2027-2028/

9. TransformEU Mobility Grant 2027

Hosted by ESPOL at the Université Catholique de Lille, the TransformEU Mobility Grant funds short research stays in France for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers working on Europe’s green and digital transitions.

What’s covered

• Travel costs to Lille
• Accommodation and living expenses during the stay
• Access to ESPOL’s research seminars and supervision

Eligibility

• PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers from any country
• Research topic connected to European green transition, digital policy, or governance
• A clear plan for the research output of the stay

Deadline: Rolling; applications are reviewed as they arrive

How to apply: Send a research proposal, CV, and a short letter explaining how the stay fits your project to the ESPOL team.

Full details: https://scholarshipunion.com/transformeu-mobility-grant-2027/

10. ISGC Excellence Africa Scholarship 2027

The International Symposium on Green Chemistry (ISGC) awards Excellence Africa Scholarships to researchers from African countries so they can attend and present at the symposium in France. It’s a good stepping stone for early-career scientists building international networks.

What’s covered

• Conference registration
• Travel to France
• Accommodation during the symposium

Eligibility

• Researchers, PhD students, and early-career academics based in Africa
• Work in green chemistry, sustainable materials, or related fields
• Submission of an abstract for presentation

Deadline: 30 September 2026

How to apply: Submit an abstract and scholarship application via the ISGC website before the deadline.

Full details: https://scholarshipunion.com/isgc-excellence-africa-scholarship/

How to Apply for Scholarships in France 2027

Most French scholarships follow a similar pattern, so it helps to understand the rhythm before you start.

1. Secure admission first. Nearly every major scholarship (Eiffel, Paris-Saclay, Grenoble, the embassy programmes) requires you to have applied to, or been admitted by, a French institution. Start your university applications in autumn 2026 for a September 2027 start.

2. Use Campus France. Students from many countries must go through the “Études en France” platform for both admission and visa. Register early; the platform has its own deadlines.

3. Prepare the standard documents. Almost every application asks for:

• Certified academic transcripts and degree certificates
• A CV in the European format
• A motivation letter or statement of purpose
• Two or three letters of recommendation
• Proof of language proficiency (French DELF/DALF or English IELTS/TOEFL, depending on the programme)
• A copy of your passport

4. Watch for nomination deadlines. For Eiffel in particular, the university’s internal deadline can be a month before the official one.

5. Apply to more than one. Many of these programmes can be combined with university fee waivers or regional grants, and the overlap in documents means a second or third application costs you very little extra effort.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

• Tailor your motivation letter to France. Explain why this specific programme, this specific lab, and this country. Generic letters are the most common reason strong candidates get rejected.
• Contact professors early. For Master’s research tracks and PhDs, a supervisor who is willing to back you makes a nomination far more likely.
• Show a return plan. Government-funded programmes favour candidates who explain how they’ll use the degree at home or in their field.
• Learn some French. Even for English-taught programmes, basic French signals commitment and helps with daily life.
• Check your age and residency limits. Several programmes have hard cut-offs on age or on time already spent in France.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

The scholarships in France 2027 listed here cover every level, from a first degree to a postdoctoral research stay, and most of them leave you with no tuition bill and a living allowance in one of Europe’s most dynamic academic systems. The single most important step is starting your university application early, because the majority of these awards depend on a French institution putting your name forward.

Bookmark the deadlines above, gather your documents this month, and check the full listings on Scholarship Union for the latest updates. Your spot in France for 2027 is worth the effort.

For more opportunities, browse the complete collection of Scholarships in France.